A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Graue family of Spain.
Reg. 9687 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un escalier de quatre degrés d'azur, posé en bande.”
CataloniaCatalonia, c. 1722
Where the Graue Arms Were Recorded
Catalonia
Map of Spain showing where the Graue arms are recorded
The Graue arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Graue arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Graue Family in Spain
The family name Graue carries a rich history that likely finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of Germanic or Northern European regions before spreading southward. By the year 1722, historical records confirm that members of the Graue family were well-established in Catalonia, a region known for its unique cultural and social landscape. During this period, families often settled in specific areas based on trade routes or agricultural opportunities, and the presence of the Graue name in Catalan documents suggests they were integrated into the local community life of the eighteenth century. As these individuals moved through different territories, they adapted to the local languages and customs while maintaining their distinct family identity. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people across Europe during the early modern era, where families sought new beginnings in thriving provinces like Catalonia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gradus
Latin term meaning a step, degree, or rank.
This name
GraueRefers to a person who lived near a specific step, staircase, or elevated path.
also spelled
Graux
Graue
Graus
Grow
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arxiu de la Corona d'Aragó, Protocolos Notariales de Barcelona, 1722
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
